Part 4
The sight of his beloved Jaguar gleaming in the sun brought a smile to his face as Ezra stepped out of the doctor's car. It was truly a sight for sore eyes.
Thank you, Doctor, he said to the helpful woman. It was kind of you to make this detour on my behalf.
It's no problem, Mr. Standish, Dr. Wilson said with a warm smile. Just remember what I said and make sure you get plenty of rest.
I will, Ezra said. He felt a slight twinge of guilt as he watched her drive away, since he hadn't told her that he intended to drive back to Denver himself, only that he would be acquiring a ride here at the airport. He hated to obfuscate, but he simply needed to get back home without any further delays. Turning away, he headed for the small office of Wheeler Air Adventures.
There was no one at the desk when he opened the door, so he called out, Hello? Anybody here? Ezra shut the door behind him as he stepped inside.
I'll be with you in a minute, Brian's voice called out from the back room. A moment later, Brian entered the room. Can I help.... He trailed off, staring at Ezra in shock.
Hello, Brian, Ezra said with a smile.
What the hell? How did you get here? Brian rushed forward, gripping his shoulders as if to make sure he wasn't an apparition. I thought you were dead!
I very nearly was, Ezra said seriously. It was only pure chance that I survived.
What happened? Brian repeated, eyeing Ezra critically. You look like shit.
Ezra said ruefully. I'm fortunate to even be standing here. I almost didn't escape.
Brian gestured toward a pair of padded chairs next to the reception desk. Tell me what happened.
There isn't much to tell, Ezra said, taking the offered seat. The plane encountered some difficulty. Steve was struggling with the controls. He shook his head as the scene vividly replayed itself. I attempted to assist him, but there was some turbulence and I was knocked down before I could reach him. He met Brian's earnest gaze. The jump door was thrown open and I was tossed out of the plane before I could do anything else.
Brian reached over and squeezed Ezra's shoulder. It wasn't your fault. I'm sure you did everything humanly possible, Evan... or should I call you Ezra?
Ezra's eyes widened in shock.
Brian gave him a sad smile. The police weren't able to track down Evan Stewart in order to notify his next of kin about the crash.
I see, Ezra said. I suppose they traced my car?
Brian nodded.
Ezra sighed. That meant that his teammates were now aware of his supposed demise.
So, where have you been all this time? Brian asked.
I've been traipsing through the countryside, attempting to return to civilization, Ezra replied. I only emerged from the wilderness last night.
You look rough, Brian said in a worried voice.
I've had worse, Ezra said with a shrug.
I believe it, after what I heard about your real occupation.
About that, Ezra said hesitantly. I apologize for my deception. Old habits die hard.
I understand, Ezra, Brian said sincerely. We all need our secret escapes.
Ezra chuckled. Yes, I suppose we do.
You want some coffee?
That sounds wonderful, Ezra said.
Brian stood and went into the back, returning with two steaming cups of coffee.
Thank you, Ezra said, sipping the hot liquid carefully. I'm truly sorry about Steve.
Brian said.
If there's anything I can do...
Brian patted his knee. Your being here is enough.
Ezra finished his coffee and stood, wincing at the pains that shot through his abused body. I'd love to stay and talk with you some more, but there are some people in Denver who must be informed of my miraculous resurrection.
You need a ride?
I believe I can manage.
You sure? Brian looked at him doubtfully. You look like you're hurtin'.
I'll be fine, really, Ezra assured the man.
All right, but I expect to see you back here as soon as you're well enough to jump, Brian said, enfolding the smaller man in a careful hug.
Count on it, Ezra said.
Shutting the door behind him, Ezra greeted his apartment with a sigh of relief. After days of slogging through the woods, it felt good to be back at home where he belonged instead of struggling to survive in the forest. As his gaze swept over the familiar furnishings, he noted that something was vaguely off about the place. Studying the room more closely, he realized that someone had been in his apartment while he was away. It was evident in the slightly off-center placement of his telephone directory, the tiny misalignment of some books on his bookshelf, and the haphazard manner in which his magazines were placed on the coffee table.
Ezra didn't consider himself a neat freak, despite Buck's assertion to the contrary; it was simply that he didn't have many things cluttering his apartment and that his near-photographic memory made even the smallest changes blatantly obvious. He frowned, considering who might have invaded his residence. Nothing appeared to be missing and there was no sign of forced entry. Things were simply disturbed, as though someone were searching for something. It hit him suddenly, and Ezra smiled upon realizing that his teammates were the likely culprits of this disturbance. He felt oddly comforted by the fact that, for whatever reason, they had come here looking for him. It meant that they had at least noticed his absence.
Ezra sank wearily into the soft couch and closed his eyes, thinking back to another time when that had not been the case. During his time with the FBI, it had not been uncommon for him to go days without speaking to any of his co-workers. He had not been well-liked and, for the most part, was ignored by his fellow agents. It was not something he usually minded, preferring the cold-shoulder treatment to more overt demonstrations of dislike. It did, however, have its drawbacks.
Two days after completing one particularly demanding assignment, he had been awakened in the middle of the night by three large and well-muscled former employees of the crime lord he had just arrested. They had tied him up and expressed their considerable displeasure with him for hours, leaving him bound, gagged, and bleeding on the kitchen floor the next morning. They had destroyed all of the telephones in his apartment and left him unable to summon help. For three days, Ezra had done everything possible to draw attention to his plight, banging on the floor and yelling through his gag, but no one answered his unheard pleas for assistance. Even if his co-workers had noticed his absence, none of them had cared enough to find out why he wasn't in the office. Finally, he managed to work the gag out of his mouth and inch his way across the room to the hall closet, where the cell phone in his coat pocket was waiting.
That incident had shown him just how much his fellow agents disliked him. And it had hurt. Ezra had thought he was making a place for himself, earning the respect of his peers by doing the best job possible. He had hoped that by being a good agent, he would at least be accepted as a colleague, but it seemed he had only been deluding himself. He had earned nothing from them but enmity and indifference, and it was then that he had resolved to protect himself from such pipe dreams and false hopes in the future. He had fortified the walls that surrounded his fragile heart and mirrored the callous disregard that had been shown to him, determined never again to suffer due to the apathy of others.
Ezra sighed. It was working, too... at least it had worked, until he joined Team Seven. That stubborn bunch of men did not seem to know how to ignore him. They argued, cajoled, and harassed him constantly, determined to make him part of their odd group. They were more than a team, and he wasn't sure what to call it, never having experienced anything quite like it. Whatever it was, though, it confused the hell out of him. He wasn't sure what they were really after, what they really wanted from him. It was the reason he was facing the coming reunion with such apprehension. Ezra didn't know how they would react to his reappearance. They had chipped away some of his armor and, for the first time in years, he had allowed himself to hope that things might just be different. He was just afraid he might find out that he was wrong.
Forcing aside his misgivings, Ezra pushed himself off of the couch and headed for his bedroom. He needed to make himself presentable for the day's upcoming activities. It wouldn't do to make his grand entrance in clothing that he had been wearing for five straight days.
It was with some trepidation that Ezra stepped into the elevator in the Federal building. He pushed the button for the eleventh floor and leaned against the back wall as the doors closed. Fiddling with his sling, he attempted to quell the butterflies that had taken up residence in his stomach by thinking pleasant thoughts.
Go to your happy place, he muttered aloud, then snorted, remembering how JD had spouted that phrase for weeks after seeing that silly movie about the hockey player turned golfer.
The elevator jerked to a less than smooth stop and the doors slid open with a mechanical chime. Squaring his shoulders, Ezra strode through the doors and toward his office. Bob Grayson from Team Three nodded absently as he passed, then stopped short and whirled around, gaping at him.
he called out quietly.
Ezra turned to face the stunned agent.
I thought you were... He paused, looking confused and embarrassed at the same time.
Ezra supplied with a grin. Not quite yet.
Grayson said, still confused.
If you'll excuse me, Ezra said. I'm running a bit late.
Grayson said dazedly.
Ezra shook his head and grinned as he walked away. Returning from the dead might prove to be a rather amusing experience, if Grayson's reaction was typical of what he could expect. Steeling himself, Ezra walked casually into the bullpen, slowing his pace when he found there was no one there. He scanned the office hopefully, but there was no sign of them. Continuing toward his own desk, Ezra heard muffled voices coming from the conference room and abruptly changed direction. As he neared the door, he paused, listening to the muted conversation.
Shouldn't we have a memorial service or something? came JD's voice.
That's something the family usually does, Chris said. In this case, that means Maude.
Yeah, but who knows when we'll ever reach her? Buck grumbled in obvious frustration.
I still say the hell with her, Vin said adamantly. We're his family, too. And besides, it ain't like she really gives a damn. You all saw the way she treated im when she was here in January.
JD echoed. At least we care... cared about Ez. He paused for a moment, then continued quietly. I can't tell you how many of the other guys have asked me when the service is gonna be, and it makes me feel like I wasn't much of a friend to Ez when I have to tell them that I don't know. His voice seemed to have a catch and Ezra heard something that sounded suspiciously like sniffles.
I think we should do something, Nathan agreed. Even if it's just for ourselves.
We would be doing Ezra a terrible disservice if we failed to honor him for the friend and brother he was to us, Josiah intoned in a heavy, sad voice.
You're right, Josiah, Chris said, so softly that Ezra had to strain to hear him. He was one of us, dammit, and he deserves at least that much. I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm not afraid to let people know we cared about him.
I ain't ashamed to admit I'm gonna miss that southern-fried son of a bitch, Buck said, his voice thick with emotion.
Ezra backed away from the door in shock as the sound of the others murmuring their agreement filled his thoughts. Good lord, he whispered to himself. Slowly, he made his way to his desk and sat down, staggered by the flood of emotions racing through him. It was so unexpected. He had known that he would be missed, since his teammates had genuinely seemed to care about him, but he had not expected to hear such sadness and loss in their voices. They honestly missed him. Him. Ezra Standish. Not just as their undercover agent, but as their friend. He was completely and utterly astounded.
Ezra heard the sound of chairs scraping on the floor and quickly composed himself, forcing his best poker face into place as he hurriedly shed his coat and logged on to his computer. He pretended to be absorbed in his work as the conference room door opened and his teammates filed out and made their way to their respective desks.
Vin was the first to notice him, stopping dead in his tracks at the sight of the undercover agent, neatly attired in one of his designer suits, working on his computer as if it were a perfectly normal day. he said softly, rubbing his eyes to make certain he wasn't seeing things.
Ezra looked up from his computer and smiled. Good afternoon, Mr. Tanner.
Holy shit! Buck spotted him next, and soon the rest of the team was there, surrounding his desk and gaping at him and talking all at once.
Ezra said, unable to resist flashing them a smug grin.
Ezra? What the hell is going on?! Chris bellowed, glaring at his undercover agent.
Mr. Larabee, Ezra greeted him.
You're supposed to be dead! Chris snarled.
Yeah, how the hell did you get here? Nathan demanded.
Ezra's smile faded and he felt a stab of pain. Perhaps he had misunderstood the overheard conversation? I'm sorry to disappoint you, he said flatly. Perhaps next time I will not expend so much effort in averting my demise.
JD glared at his insensitive teammates and pushed his way in front of them. I'm so glad you're not dead, Ezra, he said, his voice breaking slightly. It wouldn't have been the same without you. I really missed you a lot. Giving in to his emotions, JD threw himself at Ezra and hugged him tightly.
Taken aback, Ezra awkwardly patted the younger man on the back. I'm sorry to have caused you such distress, JD.
Glad you're here, Ez, Vin said quietly. Didn't like losin' one of my brothers.
Josiah said, a wide grin threatening to split his face.
Chris rubbed his hand over his face. He'd put his foot in it again. He hadn't meant to snap at the man, but he was so relieved to have him back, and so angry that he had been forced to feel such loss, that he couldn't contain his feelings. he said softly. I'm sorry. I'm just damned glad to see you and damned confused about this situation.
Me, too, Nathan said sheepishly.
With tears in his eyes and a huge grin on his face, Buck pulled JD away from Ezra and grabbed the undercover agent himself, lifting him out of his chair in a giant bear hug.
Mr. Wilmington! Ezra sputtered, grimacing as his ribs protested the movement. Buck! Put me down!
Buck said happily. Not til you promise not to scare the shit out of us like that again.
Yeah, Ez, JD said solemnly. It ain't any fun losin' part of your family.
I apologize, gentlemen, Ezra said, overwhelmed by the display
of emotions. I did not intend to cause you any concern.
Buck set him down and herded him and the others back into the conference room. Nathan sat next to Ezra and proceeded to inspect his cast and any visible bruises or bandages. Chris stared at him expectantly.
What happened, Ez? Vin asked. Way we heard it, nobody got out of that plane crash alive.
Ezra sighed and nodded. That is, in fact, the truth.
So, you weren't on the plane? Buck said, his forehead furrowed in confusion.
Not at the point of impact, Ezra explained.
You jumped out, didn't you? JD said excitedly. See, guys, I told you it could happen!
Not exactly, Mr. Dunne, Ezra said. He explained the course of events that led to his grueling trip through the forest.
Damn, Ez, Vin said, shaking his head in disbelief. Only you could manage to get yourself tossed out a the damn plane.
I always said he was a lucky bastard, Buck agreed.
I am merely fortunate to have regained consciousness before I hit the ground, Ezra said dismissively.
You were knocked out? Nathan said worriedly.
For a few moments, Ezra said, leaving out the small detail of his later, longer period of unconsciousness. Nathan was already fussing over him too much and he didn't wish to give him any further incentive.
Hard to believe a city boy like you was able to survive so long out there, Vin said with a chuckle.
Ezra sniffed. I am not as incompetent as you might believe. I managed quite well, thank you.
Did you have food with you? Chris asked curiously. He, too, was surprised that the man was able to keep himself alive in such an unfamiliar environment.
No, but I was able to find some roots and berries to sustain me, Ezra answered with a shrug. It wasn't gourmet cuisine, but it was bearable. He paused. I must admit, though, that I could have done without the wild leeks. He made a face and shuddered.
Since when do you know what wild leeks look like? Vin asked doubtfully. As far as he or anyone else knew, Ezra was about as comfortable out in the wild as the sniper would be at a black tie event.
I took the wilderness survival training course at Quantico several years ago, Ezra explained.
And you remembered what wild leeks look like? Chris narrowed his eyes suspiciously. That didn't seem like the kind of thing that the urbane southerner would bother to memorize. He expected the man to be an expert on gourmet foods or fancy wines whose names nobody could pronounce. Wild plants were more in Vin's domain. Hell, any of them would know more about that than Ezra.
I have a good memory, Ezra answered carefully. He had learned long ago not to reveal all of his secrets.
Josiah guessed astutely.
Ezra smiled slightly.
Buck whistled. That must be useful in this business.
It has its advantages, Ezra replied, wincing as he shifted slightly in his seat.
You all right? Vin asked, recognizing the flicker of pain on his friend's face.
I'm a bit stiff, Ezra admitted.
You got any pain meds to go with that cast? Nathan asked.
Ezra answered resignedly, knowing that further fussing was imminent.
Well, maybe you better take some, Buck said, grinning widely at the younger man's discomfiture.
Ezra's stomach picked that moment to rumble loudly, and his face flushed with embarrassment as his teammates laughed.
Guess them twigs and berries ain't very satisfyin', Vin commented.
Why don't we move this party to someplace more comfortable, Buck suggested. Someplace like the Saloon.
The men around the table loudly agreed and Ezra found himself being herded unceremoniously out the door. Their progress was abruptly halted by the appearance of A.D. Travis.
He acknowledged the group, focusing his gaze intently on the undercover agent. It seems the rumor I just heard is true.
Geez, news sure travels fast around here, JD said. He's only been here for twenty minutes.
I don't suppose you'd care to explain this to me? Travis inquired, lifting an eyebrow inquiringly.
Well, we were just on our way to the Saloon to celebrate our brother's return, if you'd like to join us, sir, Josiah said.
Travis shook his head. I've got a meeting in an hour.
The short version is that Ezra got out of the plane before it hit the ground, Chris explained.
Is that so? Travis eyed the southerner dubiously.
Squirming under the scrutiny, Ezra shrugged and smiled faintly. More or less.
I'll expect a full explanation, Travis said sternly, giving his tacit approval to their celebration plans.
I'll write a report, Ezra called over his shoulder as his teammates enthusiastically shuffled him toward the hallway.
Travis watched his best team as they left, wondering if they realized that they had formed a protective phalanx around their seventh as they moved toward the elevators, almost as if they were daring anyone to try to breach the circle of defense. At one time, it would have surprised him, but not anymore. It had taken a lot of effort, but Standish had indeed become a valued part of this most unusual family. Travis chuckled wryly to himself as he walked toward the elevators. As if this team didn't give him plenty of gray hairs already.
– Two months later –
Tighten your harness a bit, Mr. Dunne, Ezra directed, showing his young associate how it was done.
Like this? JD inquired as he adjusted the strap.
That's fine, Ezra replied.
JD looked around the small plane, then asked nervously. You think I'm ready to do this by myself, Ez? He gazed imploringly at his friend. I mean, I only did those tandem jumps with you last week.
Don't worry, JD, Ezra said sincerely, squeezing his friend's shoulder. You'll do just fine.
Yeah, kid, Vin added. And besides, we'll be right there with you.
JD looked around again, seeing the nods of support from his friends. All of them were there, except for Nathan, who was riding with the ground crew because someone needed to be there to take care of their sorry asses when they hurt themselves during this fool stunt. Josiah had joined them after enduring teasing from Vin and Buck about his age. He was determined to show the that he still had a few tricks up his sleeve. Vin and Buck had needed no convincing. Chris had been surprised at the invitation, but knew it meant that Ezra was starting to accept that he was a part of their family, so he gladly came along.
We're almost there, Brian shouted from the cockpit.
Ezra gave him a thumbs-up and moved toward the jump door. he asked them. They nodded and, at Brian's signal, Ezra opened the door. After you, gentlemen, he said, motioning them toward the door. One by one, his friends leaped out the door, sandwiching JD between them. For his part, JD flashed a nervous grin at Ezra before he threw himself out into the air. Ezra paused for a moment, reflecting on everything that had happened to bring him to this point, and then grinned as he jumped out of the plane to join his family.
finis